Erling Haaland praised a “fantastic team performance” that enabled Manchester City to recover from a “horrific” beginning to secure a 3-1 victory over Chelsea this evening.
Haaland made significant contributions with both a goal and an assist, as City bounced back after a mistake from debutant Abdukodir Khusanov.
The Uzbek defender, a recent £33.8 million acquisition from Lens, struggled to handle a long ball and, after allowing it to bounce, inadvertently directed the ball towards Nicolas Jackson, who set up Noni Madueke for an easy finish.
Josko Gvardiol brought the game level just before halftime, and second-half goals from Haaland and Phil Foden clinched the win, propelling Pep Guardiola’s squad back into the fourth position in the league standings.
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— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 25, 2025
In an interview with BBC Match of the Day, Haaland remarked: “I think it was an overall great performance despite our terrible start. It was a fantastic team effort and I am very pleased with it.
“When you start like that, it can be challenging, but we played very well and kept pushing ourselves. The second half was consistent as well. In the end, that’s what we need to do—solidify our defense while maintaining our attacking momentum.
“Starting the match like that feels like beginning with a -1 goal deficit. Such things can happen, but it’s crucial to keep moving forward and maintain a calm mindset. That’s what truly matters.”
Haaland and Ederson combine to great effect
Haaland’s goal came from a long ball sent forward by goalkeeper Ederson, with the Norwegian forward fending off Trevoh Chalobah before expertly lifting the ball over Robert Sanchez.
“It is something we practice,” Haaland noted. “We focus on creating space, and Ederson has already provided me with numerous assists. It’s all about perfect timing because he’s incredibly precise.”
Khusanov’s difficult match stood in stark contrast to Omar Marmoush, who appeared lively in his first outing since arriving from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Speaking of Marmoush, Haaland said: “I have seen him perform in the Bundesliga. Playing alongside him will be fantastic. He possesses something special, and I’m eager to team up with him for what promises to be a great experience.”
Guardiola pleased with crucial win
Guardiola expressed his satisfaction with the way his team rebounded from an early setback, especially following their recent 4-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, where they squandered a 2-0 lead. This latest win puts them in a position where a victory against Club Brugge on Wednesday night is essential for their Champions League ambitions.
He commented to Sky Sports: “Not the best start. Fortunately, they didn’t take advantage and score a second goal. Once we emotionally recovered, we put forth a solid performance.
“We controlled the ball more effectively than in our previous matches, which was vital.”
He further stated to the BBC: “We have faced challenges recently, and it’s been a difficult season. Most players here have been around for eight or nine years, and I will not change my viewpoint in two months. We must recognize that what we’ve been doing is insufficient.
“I asked the team to elevate their game, and they did. We created enough opportunities to score, and ultimately, I’m really pleased with the win.
“We certainly need fresh legs with Omar and Khusanov, and now we face a critical Champions League match on Wednesday.”
Challenges for Khusanov – Pep
Guardiola is optimistic that Khusanov will learn from this experience.
“It’s not easy for him,” he acknowledged. “He trains once and then has to play against Jackson, Cole [Palmer], Madueke, and [Jadon] Sancho. When you sign a young player, it’s a learning process. This type of situation serves as a valuable lesson.”
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